Illinois farmhouse becomes final training ground for 100 firefighters
A family in Illinois donated their multi-generational farmhouse to the local fire department for use in live-fire training exercises. After three days of drills, the structure was intentionally burned to the ground to complete the training.
Why it matters
Donating private property for emergency services training provides firefighters with rare, realistic experience that is difficult to replicate in controlled facilities.
A farmhouse that had been in one family for four generations ended its long history by helping train firefighters before it was burned down in Illinois.The Kestel family donated their vacant farmhouse on Cedar Road, south of Laraway Road in New Lenox, to the New Lenox Fire Protection District, Patch media reported. Instead of demolishing the building straight away, the family decided it could serve one final purpose by giving firefighters the chance to train in a real house.The building was used for live fire training from Wednesday to Friday after months of preparations that had been taking place at the property since March. On Friday, after the final training session ended, the house was set on fire and allowed to burn to the ground.For Karen Kestel, watching the family home disappear was emotional.
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